Smit facing two month lay off

South Africa’s World Cup winning captain John Smit could be out for up to two months after injuring his right knee in training with his French club Clermont it was revealed on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old hooker did not rupture his ligaments but the club fear that scans either on Friday or Monday will confirm that he will miss several pivotal matches in the European Cup and the French championship in which they are presently second, two points behind leaders Toulouse.

“He was injured when he was badly tackled during training on Wednesday,” the club manager Jean-Marc Lhermet told AFP.

Clermont – the only side to inflict defeat on Toulouse this season when they beat them 21-17 in the final match of last year – resume their title challenge at home to Auch on Saturday and that is followed by two vital matches in the European Cup against Irish giants Munster and Welsh outfit Llanelli.

The French side still have a chance of making the last eight as they trail tabletoppers Munster by just four points with reigning champions Wasps in second place three points ahead of Clermont.